Open Enrollment

Is the Best Cancer Treatment in Your Plan?

Roswell Park Cancer Institute was the first facility in the nation dedicated to the understanding and treatment of cancer. Today, it remains one of the world’s foremost cancer centers, dedicated to providing total care to the cancer patient.

In healthcare circles, autumn is known as the time for open enrollment; the traditional time when most people have an opportunity to choose or change their health insurance. At Roswell Park, we are deeply committed to maintaining access to high-quality cancer care and to preserving a full range of choices for cancer patients and their families.

As you consider the benefits covered by your insurance policy, you might want to know that at Roswell Park multidisciplinary teams of experts devote their lives to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer. These disease-specific teams work in concert to develop a comprehensive, individualized care program for each patient – from diagnosis, through treatment and rehabilitation, to discharge and follow-up care. Each healthcare team is comprised of specialists who represent medicine, surgery, radiation therapy and nursing and include other key members such as pathologists, radiologists, psychologists, social workers, pain management experts, nutritionists, research scientists, among others. Roswell Park offers a wide range of advanced technologies for the diagnosis of cancer, a full complement of surgical therapies, and innovative treatments in medicine and radiation therapy.

There is no one “best insurance” or “best insurance provider.” Keep in mind that decisions made during open enrollment will be binding for an entire year. So here are some thoughts to consider.

Try to purchase an insurance plan based on what it covers, not solely based on the premiums. Shop around for the insurance coverage that will meet your needs. Ask yourself, “If I become sick, will my family be able to afford care? Will I be able to go to the doctors I want to, and receive the medicine I need? Will I have access to a Comprehensive Cancer Center, to cutting-edge clinical trials and specialty services?”

Life-threatening illnesses or conditions can require extensive medical care. No one wants to think about the possibility of facing or having a family member face a diagnosis of cancer. However, the reality is one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. So whatever healthcare plan you choose for the next year, make sure you have access to the special expertise available at a Comprehensive Cancer Center such as Roswell Park. You will have peace of mind knowing that you’ve taken advantage of healthcare planning that can best protect your family.